Wednesday, December 30, 2015

I cannot believe that tomorrow will be New Years Eve.
Looking back, I sucked at keeping up with the blog this year as I battled
school, work, and the daughters’ softball schedule. Maybe next year, I will do
a better job. Since we are still in the holiday season, I decided to watch another
seasonal horror flick, the 2015 no-budget entry, Krampus: The Reckoning.

Plot/ Zoe is a strange little girl, with a not so imaginary
friend the Krampus who is the dark companion of kindly old St. Nicholas. The
Krampus has been unleashed upon a small town and the legendary demon will seek
out all the naughty people to punish them at Christmas time. No one is safe as
the Krampus hunts them down, tortures them, and then drags their helpless souls
to the depths of hell.

Knowing this was a low budget flick, I went into it
expecting the majority of flaws that are usually abound in this arena, and of
course, they were there. Even with that, I have to admit that I actually
enjoyed the plot and storyline, which while it was sprinkled with some clichéd moments,
flashed at least a touch of originality. Yes, it is far from a perfect movie,
as there were some pacing issues, uneven performances, and some head scratching
moments with the scripting/scenes, but as I alluded to earlier, those were expected,
as they are usually present in low budget flicks. In the end, this may not be a
great movie, but it is not as terrible as some may say. If you love no-budget horror
cinema and can overlook some of the budgetary issues, you may find some late
night holiday cheer.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

While I was writing up my new theory on who,
Supreme Leader Snoke is in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I needed something to help soothe my mind. To help me through this process, I decided to watch
something different, the 2015 mockumentary, The Atticus Institute.

Plot/ In the fall of 1976, a small psychology lab in
Pennsylvania became the unwitting home to the only government-confirmed case of
possession. The U.S. military assumed control of the lab under orders of
national security and, soon after, implemented measures aimed at arming the
entity. The details of the inexplicable events that occurred are being made
public after remaining classified for nearly forty years.

Found footage and mockumentary styled films are always hit and miss, and that is again the case with this one. While I loved the setting, the idea, and some of the cinematography and plot elements used, it did not come off as well as it started out. This had potential, especially with the governmental experiment ideas that were presented inside. Having grown up in that era, the rumored government experiments always drove conspiracy theories, and as we have discovered now (decades later) most of those conspiracies were true. Unfortunately, the movie never builds on the hypothetical theories it is built upon, and at times becomes extremely predictable and falls flat. In fact, I believe in this case, the mockumentary style is what derails this one (although the clichéd and overdone possession angles do not help either). In the end, there was really nothing new inside this one and it never builds a suspenseful atmosphere that will draw you in. Sure, it is not terrible, but it is also just average-not good for a movie in a flooded genre.

While I am not one that usually speculates on movies I
watch, especially about characters or plot lines, I have become obsessed by an
idea that came to mind after watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Being a
huge fan of the franchise, especially the different storylines and the way they
interconnect, this theory came to mind, as soon as I first saw one of the
characters, and his actions.

Before I move any further, there may be some spoilers,
although that is in no way my intentions. So, if you have not seen this one
yet, move along, there is nothing to see here.

Who is Supreme Leader Snoke? Yes, there are theories out
there that he is Darth Plagueis (who survived the attack from young Darth Sidious),
Emperor Palpatine (who survived in Return of the Jedi), and some other crazy
thoughts and theories. While my idea may not be as crazy as say Jar Jar Binks,
I also believe that it could be an interesting twist that could make for an
amazing run of movies. What if Supreme Leader Snoke is actually Luke Skywalker
himself? Yes, yes, I know that may sound insane, but think about it for a
second and there are parts of the storyline that bring this into focus.

It was clear at the end of Return of the Jedi, Luke was torn
and he could have gone either way, even attempting to strike down the Emperor.
What if that turmoil became too much and he regretted not assuming the position
with his father to rule the galaxy as father and son.

Now, fast forward to The Force Awakens. Snoke is a hologram,
and at this point, no one has seen him except in that form. Plus, he does have
a scar on his forehead (wampa attack?). OK, maybe that is a stretch, but, when
you start looking at the entire puzzle, it may not be as crazy as some think.

What do we know about Luke? He failed in building a Jedi
academy and had a pupil turn to against him, a student with Skywalker blood
flowing through his veins. Couple that with the fact that no one has seen Luke
since Kylo turned Vader and killed the young Jedi at the academy (until the
end), and there is a strange mystery building.

Here is where it gets interesting to me, what if he did that
as part of his training to help take over the galaxy with Luke? Many of Kylo’s
actions and statements would fit. His grandfather wanted to rule the galaxy
with Luke (finish what you started?), and Kylo could make that happen when and
if the Rebellion, or Resistance falls to the First Order. Of course, there is
still the problem of Rey, her bloodline, and powers that could cause a problem
with this theory, but that too can be somewhat explained.

What if Kylo saved Rey, to potentially add a future ally? If
Obi-Wan was able to hide Leia from Darth Vader and the Emperor, would it not be
possible for Rey to be “dead” to the world, her hidden Jedi abilities tucked
away on an outlying planet? It could be possible, if not plausible especially
when you think about how she was received by Han, Leia, and even Luke at the
end. There was almost a touch of shock in their reactions, almost to the point
where they were speechless.

Knowing that Rey would want to search for Luke, especially
not understanding her powers, Kylo has set up the perfect training scenario for
the dark side, and potentially provided Snoke/Luke with two apprentices that
can search out and destroy the Resistance in the name of the First Order.

Of course, this is just my theory, and I am nothing but a
fan with an active imagination and a love of the dark side. Please let me know
what you think? I would love to hear some feedback.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Having watched the behind the scenes for the upcoming
X-Files miniseries, I was already in a retro mood. When Jillian asked if she could
watch The Silence of the Lambs, my night was made complete. So, for tonight’s
review, I will touch on that classic, although, it needs no review.

Plot/ A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated
and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer
who skins his victims.

Since Jillian wanted to watch this classic, I felt it was
time to finally kick back and absorb all that this classic has to offer. Having
watched it dozens of times since first seeing it in the theatre when it came
out, it is one of my favorites, and a movie that never grows old. In fact, it
may be one of the best horror/thrillers to ever grace the screen, definitely
deserving all of the accolades it received when it was first released. The
scripting was outstanding, the cinematography, direction, and vision of the
film were spot on, the subtle changes in atmospheres, the performances, and the
exploration of the complex relationship between Hannibal, and Clarice was
amazing. In the end, this is one of the best movies, regardless of genre, I
have ever watched and it has left a lasting imprint on me. This one has stood
the test of time, and is a movie that every fan of horror or thrillers must watch
at least once in their life. If you fit that description, and have not watched
it, you are wrong. Find it, and watch it!

Sunday, December 27, 2015

After suffering through a miserable low budget flick last
night, I wanted something different tonight that could help make-up for
yesterdays wasted time. After some debate with myself, I decided to venture
into the mind of one of my favorites, Clive Barker, and his 1990 cult classic
Nightbreed.

Plot/ A troubled young man is drawn to a mythical place
called Midian where a variety of monsters are hiding from humanity.

I know this may sound off, especially being a huge fan of
Clive Barker, But I had not ventured into the world of Nightbreed until tonight.
What I found was something more than I could have imagined. Like some of
Barker’s other worlds, this one was fascinating, with outstanding make-up and
effects, beautiful sets and design, some solid performances (especially David
Cronenberg), and a tremendously dark and heavy atmospheric tone. Yes, some of
the characterizations were uneven and there were many non-linear aspects that
the passive viewer may find overwhelming, but those did nothing to take away
from the overall feel and message of the film. In the end, if you have not seen
it, what are you waiting for? This is a dark and beautiful flick that must be
seen. Of course, it is not for everyone, but if you are a horror fan like me,
you should LOVE it.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

With the Christmas holiday behind us, it was time to move
forward and get back to the blog. Needing something horror related, I decided
to find something with a low budget indie feel, that movie, and my next review,
is the 2012 entry Spirit Stalkers.

Plot/ The Spirit Stalkers reality show, once a big hit,
faces cancellation without a ratings boost, which leads the investigative team
to Gloria Talman, whose house is rampant with unexplained ghostly activity.

I am all for low budget horror, and was hoping that this one
would be as good as some of the tags I saw on Twitter. Unfortunately, there was
nothing scary or riveting inside this one and it came off as a bad behind the
scenes of a ghost hunting reality show with some blood scattered throughout.
Sure, the performances were not bad, the cinematic qualities were better than a
lot of low budget films, and the ideologies portrayed with the paranormal
investigations seemed realistic. However, there was not much else there to keep
your attention. The effects were lacking (although with a low budget that was
expected), and it was extremely predictable. In the end, there is nothing
memorable here and in the end it will just mesh with the other low budget
paranormal movies that have become all the rage in recent years.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

There is nothing like kicking back and having a scary movie
night, especially when I do not have to get up for work in the morning. With
that being said, it is also an awesome treat when I can find something holiday related,
and that was the case tonight, as I decided on the 2015 Christmas themed
anthology, A Christmas Horror Story.

Plot/ Interwoven stories that take place on Christmas Eve,
as told by one festive radio host: A family brings home more than a Christmas
tree, a student documentary becomes a living nightmare, a Christmas spirit
terrorizes, Santa slays evil.

There is nothing better than horror movies centered in and
on the Christmas holiday. Personally, I love watching some good horror this
time of year, especially because I have some time off work and time to spend
diving into some projects. This one is much better than I expected with just enough
blood and gut splattered in with the four stories to make it fun. Plus, it has
William Shatner playing a drunken radio host, what could be better. Yes, some
of the dialog is awkward and the acting is uneven, but that does not truly
destroy this one in any way. In the end, this may not be the best of the genre,
but it is a decently intertwined anthology that makes for a solid Christmas
horror flock. If you are in the mood for something darker this Christmas, give
it a shot.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

After taking a few days off from the blog finishing up my
final papers for my college class and recovering from the late night trip to
see Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I decided it was time to jump back into the
blog with something a touch darker. After searching for something, I decided on
the 2015 exorcism themed flick Exeter.

Plot/ A group of teenagers accidentally release an evil
spirit that starts to possess them one by one.

Let me start by saying that this one is nothing that has not
crossed your screen before, especially if like me, you are a horror fanatic.
Exeter AKA The Asylum AKA Backmask, is definitely riddled with clichéd moments
and will feel very familiar, but it does have some interesting moments with an
outstanding soundscape and some decent effects and the storyline, while riddled
with clichéd moments, at least attempted to put a different spin on them.
Unfortunately, the mixture of horror and comedy did not quite come off as well
as some others in the genre. Couple that with some uneven performances and an extremely
predictable ending, and you have a movie that will fall into the love it or hate
it category. In the end, I loved the movie, as the overall feel of the movie
was probably better than I expected with the amount of cliché moments. It is
definitely not for everyone, but if you like exorcism flicks, you could do much
work.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

While I try to keep my excitement tempered as I prepare to
check out Star Wars: The Force Awakens tomorrow, I was definitely in a Sci-Fi
mood as I worked on some paperwork for school. To help quench my mood, I decided
to check out the 2015 entry Infini, a darker flick from that genre.

Plot/ An elite 'search and rescue' team transport onto an
off-world mining-facility to rescue Whit Carmichael, the lone survivor of a
biological outbreak.

As I sat down to watch this one, I really had no expectations.
What I found was something much better than I would have expected featuring a
tremendously atmospheric and claustrophobic Sci-Fi flick that I wish I had
watched earlier. This one has a lot to like, with outstanding sets, solid production
values, enjoyable characters with decent performances, and a nice blend of special
effects. Yes, the scripting was a touch wordy in spots and there were a few
head scratching moments, but those were minor in comparison to the rest of the
movie. In the end, this one is well worth watching and a movie that much better
than some of the other Sci-Fi entries that populates the market. If you are a
true fan of science fiction, give it a shot; you should enjoy it.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

I was searching for something different after the
indie time travel flick 41 last night, and different is definitely what I
found. Wanting something with a crusades type feel, I stumbled upon the 1962
low budget entry The Magic Sword, and that is what I decided on for my next
review.

Plot/ The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armor and
six magically summoned knights, embarks on a quest to save a princess from a
vengeful wizard.

I wanted something Medieval and that is what I got with this
one. While by today’s standards, this B-movie would suffer greatly. However, if
viewing it inside the prism of the era of filmmaking, one would find this an
fascinating journey into fantasy with some interesting effects, vivid imagery,
and a solid cast that took on the low budget entry and made it likely better
than it should have been. Yes, the scripting and dialog are laughable at best,
some of the plot is insane, and some of the performances were uneven, but those
add something to the schlock or cheese factor of this film. In the end, this
one may not be the greatest of the era, but it definitely had some intriguing
moments that made it entertaining. This one is certainly not for everyone, but
if you are searching for a low budget schlockfest from the 1960s, give it a
shot!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Having taken my final quiz in my class, I decided that I
wanted to watch something with a medieval feel. While searching for something
in that genre, I stumbled on a time travel flick that I had never heard of.
While this film did not take me back to the era that I had hoped for, it was
one of the better indie flicks that I have seen in some time. That movie, and
my next review, is the 2012 low budget entry 41.

Plot/ A young man discovers a hole in the floor of a local
motel that leads to yesterday.

When I stumbled upon this one, I had no idea what to
anticipate. What I found was definitely different than what I would have
expected, as this one did not play out like any of the typical time travel
movies that I have come across. Personally, I love the subject, and believe
that we today are living inside some type of time ripple, because that is the
only thing that can explain the strange occurrences that are plaguing society.
This is an excellent film, that features an intriguing storyline that is both
layered and thought provoking, as well as some solid cinematography and a
perfect soundtrack the creates an outstanding atmosphere. Yes, the dialog was
uneven in spots and some of the scenes felt forced (especially the ones
centered on the police), but those flaws were easily overlooked. In the end,
this low budget flick was a joy to watch and a movie that should have
definitely received more fanfare than it did. Check it out!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

After watching the Steelers beat the Bengals and keep their
playoff hopes alive, and then finishing my freelance article assignment with a
piece on Hollow Earth theory, I decided to kick back and watch something
mindless. After some searching, I settled on the 2014 thriller, The Visitant.

Plot/ Samantha plays the role of a Fortune Teller, but she
is a thorough skeptic about the paranormal and all things supernatural. One
night alone in her house, she learns that there are dark forces that do not
care whether she believes or not.

I am all for independent cinema, and I love when I stumble
upon interesting movies within that realm. Unfortunately, this one was nothing
that I had hoped for reading the description. The acting is uneven, pacing is
off, the background music is overdone and excessively loud throughout, and the
scripting is rather unoriginal and riddled with clichéd moments. Yes, there are
a couple of creepy moments sprinkled inside and the cinematography is better
than many movies that sit inside this realm, but those elements can do nothing
to save this one. In the end, this movie is not memorable in any way, and does
nothing to make it worth watching.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

This has been a long day. While the Nightmares first
tournament at Thiel was a mixed bag and at times frustrating, the girls
definitely got better as the day progressed and put up an outstanding battle
with in the knockout round. With five hours of driving, and five hours of
softball behind me, I needed a mindless break. After some searching, I settled
on the 2015 monster flick, Frankenstein vs. The Mummy.

Plot/ The mummy of a cursed pharaoh and a reanimated corpse
terrorize a medical university. Only an Egyptologist and a college professor,
the deranged Dr. Frankenstein, may be able to stop the creatures before it is
too late.

I honestly did not expect much from this one, and that is
exactly what I got. Unfortunately, my selection for mindless horror was not a
tight 90 minutes, and it was definitely longer than it should have been. Yes,
there were some decent effects that were better than CGI and the quick mention
of ancient alien theory was nice, but that was about it. The scripting and
characters were flat, the horror sequences were not memorable, and the
performances were average. In the end, this film is one that did help pass my
evening, but it is also one that I will likely forget by the morning. Unless
you have no other choices, you may want to pass on this one.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

After spending some time playing umpire tonight at
Nightmares practice, I was in the mood to just chill when I got home. To get my
mind right, and possibly make some progress on my Diablo inspired contest
entry, I decided on something a little more surrealistic for my next review
with the 2014 entry, The Frame.

Plot/ Two strangers find their lives colliding in an impossible way. Alex is a methodical cargo thief working for a dangerous cartel. Sam is a determined paramedic trying to save the world while running from her past.

I had no idea what to expect when I found this one tonight,
and what I found was actually a lot better and more surreal than I could have
imagined when first turning it on. Yes, it did not have great pacing and was
slower than I would have expected from the description, however, it is
definitely an original storyline that transcends multiple genres. The
cinematography is amazing, the storyline is solid, and the dreamlike atmosphere
is tremendous. Yes, some of the performances may be uneven, and some of it may
be difficult for everyone to follow/understand, but that dies not hurt this
film in any way. In the end, this one may not be for everyone, but it is
clearly a movie that should be seen, especially if you are a huge fan of
surrealist movies. This one is a must see!